At around 06:00 on February 24, 2022 (Moscow time), Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” with the goal of “demilitarization” and “de-Nazification” in Ukraine. .
Orthodox funeral of a Ukrainian soldier in Kharkiv. Photo: Reuters
A few minutes later, missiles from all directions attacked Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. Convoys of military vehicles, guns and tanks from Crimea and Belarus rushed into the Ukrainian border. Putin always affirmed that the goal of this attack was ‘de-Nazification’ even though no one saw any evidence in the neighboring country. Ukrainians and the whole world directly called this an invasion.
Ms. Elena Rodik, a resident of Donetsk, was panicked when she returned to her apartment, which was completely destroyed after being hit by Russian shelling. Photo: Reuters
The unprovoked march that Putin sent out initiated countless losses and suffering in terms of life and property in the neighboring country.
Two hours after Russian troops advanced deep into the territory, the President of Ukraine declared martial law, ordered a nationwide mobilization and cut off diplomatic relations with Russia.
The common scene in Ukraine after the Russian army entered was destruction and fear. Photo: Reuters
The invasion was strongly condemned by the international community, sanctions were imposed on Russia and a United Nations General Assembly resolution called on the country to withdraw its troops while protests against the war took place. mass produced in Russia and many other countries.
After a week of shooting, a United Nations report showed that more than 1 million Ukrainians left their homeland to seek asylum, most through Poland, Hungary, Turkey, etc. After 3 weeks, the above number increased to more than 3.1 million people, most of whom are women and children.
A Ukrainian soldier broke up with his girlfriend and left for the battlefield at Kramatorsk train station. Photo: Marek M. Berezowski/Getty
Ukrainian citizens between 18 and 60 years old are banned from leaving the country, except for people with disabilities and those responsible for financial support of three or more children. More than 66 thousand Ukrainians living around the world returned to fight to defend their homeland.
Today, the conflict has completed 2 years, the situation on the battlefield is still inconclusive, with neither Russia nor Ukraine having a breakthrough that changes the course of events. Guns still explode, bullets still fall, enemies Hate still prevails, only hope for peace is deadlocked.
Military doctors in Bakhmut-Siversk tried to treat a soldier in critical condition on this battlefield at the height of fighting in November 2023. Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Getty
Russia is gaining more and more territory but suffering losses in soldiers and equipment. Meanwhile, Ukraine, having failed to achieve its goals in its summer counteroffensive, is shifting to a defensive posture, building new fortifications to replenish its forces.
Bodies of Russian soldiers lie scattered in the trenches at Avdiivka. Photo: Kostya Liberov/Getty
Russia announced its willingness to negotiate, but on the condition that Ukraine must acknowledge the “new territorial reality”, including Zaporizhia, Kherson, Lugansk, Donetsk annexed by Russia in October 2022 and the Crimean peninsula. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials announced that peace talks will only take place when Russia withdraws all troops from Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
The skull of a Russian soldier with a bullet hole in his forehead, located in a trench in the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, was found in November 2023. Photo: Reuters